the case of dawna flynn - r.j lupin

fifteen

Sirius Black was back in Hogwarts and was allowed free roam in the form of a dog and in the company of Remus.

The first place he'd begged Remus ro take him was to see Harry again. He needed to see Harry again. So while Remus and Sirius were out, Red stayed in their room and laid asleep on the single bed in the room.

The room that they'd given them only had one bed which was standard for a teachers room but there was a couch aswell which all three were sure had been transfigured from some other object for Sirius Black though of course they'd never be sure.

Red wanted to enjoy what could possibly be the last moments of her life as a cat because if they managed to make her human again, she was for sure never shifting back to her cat self. She didn't want to get stuck again.

When she became human she'd be reprimanded for being an unregistered animagus and she was sure she'd never be left alone again. She had been missing for 15 years, she was going to be 31 in a couple months and she wouldn't be able to catch a break anytime before that. She doubted she'd catch a break anytime before she was 40.

She hadn't finished her education and would need to in order to get a job. To live on her own. When she was human she couldn't depend on Madam Pomfrey or Remus anymore, she wasn't too much of a burden as a cat but as a human it'd be completely different. Everything would change.

Red also wouldn't exist anymore. It'd be Dawna Emilia Flynn and Dawna Emilia Flynn only.

She couldn't help but wonder what she'd look like, she had aged a big amount. She thought to how she'd watched Madam Pomfrey age over the years, she thought about how now in their mid thirties, Remus and Sirius looked completely different to the boys she'd known all those years ago.

She wondered what her family would look like. How Jane Malibu or Liam Powley looked, did those two even remember her?

Red hopped down from the bed and sat infront of the full length mirror proper against the wall and stared at her reflection.

Would her hair be less vibrant? Would she have age lines all over her face? Would her smile still be as bright as it had ever been or would it be worn and tired? Would she be taller? Thicker set?

The cat turned away from the mirror and moved to the bedside table where the article printed 15 years ago lay open. She stared at her younger self with heaps of regret she was sure no one else had ever felt. She hated that she'd let herself get curious.

"Red?" She heard Remus speak and she spun around with a yowl. She hadn't heard neither him nor Sirius come in. She stared at them from where she was sat. "You okay?"

Red just continued to stare at him. She wanted to tell him no but she couldn't speak so she stood up and jumped off the beside table and sulked over to his feet and brushed up against them gently.

"Oh the poor lass." Sirius muttered as Remus picked her up and laid her on the bed, "We're gonna get you out of this Red. We promise you. We'll do anything."

Red looked at the pair and just meowed.

Seconds later Sirius was a dog and after a sharp knock the door was pushed open and McGonnogal stood in the doorway with pursed lips.

"Dawna's parents are here. We've informed them on the situation and they'd like to speak to her." McGonnogal told them and as if she'd been commanded to, Red jumped up and landed on Remus' shoulder tk which she just sat.

Remus ushered along the shaggy dog and they followed McGonnogal up to Dumbledores office.

Red was admittedly very nervous. She hadn't see her parents since September 1977. It was 1993.

They walked in and Red felt faint at the sight of the old couple sat on the chairs infront of Dumbledores desk.

They were old. Her parents were old. White hair, dropping eyes and saggy skin, the whole lot. They were so different that she almost didn't want to go towards them.

She didn't move until Remus jolted his shoulder gently in encouragement and when she was on the floor Sirius had to push her forward with his snout.

The old woman stared at the red cat with wild eyes and there was a scary silence as they held eachother eyes until the women slipped out of her chair and onto her knees, facing Red.

"Oh my darling Dawna. It is you." She cried and Dawna ran into the womans open arms. She didn't mind that the squeezing hurt or that her fur was getting all wet from the tears. Her mother knew she wasn't dead, she didn't have to be so sad anymore. She'd always worried about how her parents had dealt with her death and if they'd ever gotten over it but now they didn't have to as she was alive.

"Lily dear, careful now, she is a cat." Her father spoke, he was now kneeling beside his wife. Her mother let her go and she walked towards her fathers outstretched palm and he smoothed down her back with a watery smile.
"I know Cas but its my Dawna. She's alive."

Dawna was lifted into her fathers arms and she snuggled into the still familiar smell of him.

"And you're Remus Lupin?" She heard her father say and the cat looked towards Remus who was watching them with a sad smile. He nodded.

"Thank you. Thank you so much for finding her- for looking after her for all these years." Her mother gushed and Remus went red in the cheeks.

"I- you're welcome but you should really thank the schools Medi-Witch for looking after her all these years. Red- I mean Dawna was in her possession." Remus informed and the couple nodded.
"We shall."

"Well." Dumbledore spoke up and everyone turned to him, "I'd assume you'd both want to take Miss Flynn home with you?" Red watched as Remus' expression fell as her parents nodded ecstatically and she felt that she wasn't quite ready to leave him just yet.

She waggled out of her father's arms and jumped into Remus' ready outstretched ones and he cradled her as she now snuggled up into him.

"Red?" She heard Sirius ask but she didn't move, "what are you doing?"
"I don't think I can leave Remus yet." She admitted unashamed and the dog made a sound of understanding and said no more.

There was some reluctance from her parents to leave her behind but they did so anyway as McGonnogal had translated for them that it had been her wishes to remain in Remus' care till she was human and only then she would go home.

"Are you sure Red?" Remus asked her as he carried her towards their room and the cat just got more comfortable in his arms and she coukd hear the smile shift into his voice, "alright then. If that's what you wish."

Red peaked up at the man who was already watching her and she knew there that she'd forever care for Remus Lupin. As human or as a cat. He'd be her favourite person always.

Followed very closely by Madam Pomfrey of course.